Use of Trichoderma Spp. to Improve Plant Performance Under Abiotic Stresses
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USE OF TRICHODERMA SPP. TO IMPROVE PLANT PERFORMANCE UNDER ABIOTIC STRESSES by Fatemeh Mastouri This thesis/dissertation document has been electronically approved by the following individuals: Bjorkman,Thomas Nils Erik (Chairperson) Harman,Gary Elvan (Co-Chair) Bendaniel,David J. (Minor Member) Bergstrom,Gary Carlton (Minor Member) USE OF TRICHODERMA SPP. TO IMPROVE PLANT PERFORMANCE UNDER ABIOTIC STRESSES A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Cornell University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Fatemeh Mastouri Auguest 2010 © 2010. Fatemeh Mastouri USE OF TRICHODERMA SPP. TO IMPROVE PLANT PERFORMANCE UNDER ABIOTIC STRESSES Fatemeh Mastouri, Ph. D. Cornell University 2010 This dissertation is mainly focused on the effects of Trichoderma spp. on plant performance under abiotic stresses. Chapter one examines the effects of T. harzianum on tomato seed germination and seedling growth under a spectrum of abiotic stresses that commonly happen during seed germination and adversely affect crop performance. Results of these experiments clearly demonstrate that the fungi enhance germination and plant performance under a variety of stresses. It is postulated that Trichoderma may enhance redox buffer capacity of treated plants and thereby enhance their tolerance to a range of abiotic stresses. This hypothesis was examined in chapter two of this dissertation. The expression of genes encoding antioxidants and their activity was shown to be improved by Trichoderma treatment. In parallel, the redox state of major antioxidants, glutathione and ascorbic acid were improved by Trichoderma treatment. The effects of such changes in the antioxidant capacity of plants, on photosynthetic efficiency of tomato plants under stress are examined in chapter three. Finally in chapter four our current understanding of plant-trichoderma interaction is summarized and is compared with that of other known beneficial fungi. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH Author of this dissertation was borne in Tehran, Iran. After receiving her high school diploma in empirical sciences, she attended College of Agriculture at University of Tehran and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture in 2002. she continued her studies at graduate level at Tarbiat Modarres University of Theran and received a Master of Science degree in Horticulture at 2005. to pursue her interest in the use of beneficial microbes in agriculture, she moved to Cornell University in 200, where she studied this subject under supervision of Drs. Gary E. Hraman and Thomas Björkman who are well-known for their ground-breaking studies of the topic. iii This dissertation is dedicated to my favorite teacher, my mother who thought me the first lessons I have ever learnt; to my father who thought me with his hard work that there is no impossible in this world and to my beloved sister and brother who supported me in every step that I took in my life. It is also dedicated to my beloved friend Dr. Babak Kouchmeshky that inspired me to never stop seeking knowledge iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Faculty, friends, and family members have helped me to complete this dissertation. I would like to express my gratitude to these individuals for their support and assistance. I would like to thanks Dr. Gary Harman, for being a wonderful and supportive mentor. I owe to him not only this dissertation, but a great deal of my personal growth. I appreciate Dr. Thomas Björkman’s support as a mentor. I owe the development of my creative problem solving skills to all the long hours he spent on our discussions on broad scientific subjects. Indispensable supports of faculty of the graduate field of Horticulture, especially those of Dr. Alan Taylor, Dr. Alan Lakso, Dr. Chris Wien, Dr. Lailiang Chang, and Dr. Courtney Weber is much appreciated. Members of my graduate committee, Dr. David BenDaniel and Dr. Gary Bergstrom supported me and my work in the best possible way. Their assistance was crucial to my success and is much appreciated. Help of Mrs. De La Fuente, Mrs. Brooks, Mr. Knapton, and Mr. Patrick that facilitated this work is greatly appreciated. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Biographical Sketch ....................................................................................................... iii Dedication ..................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................ v Table of Contents .......................................................................................................... vi List of Figures ............................................................................................................... vii List of Tables ............................................................................................................... viii Preface ........................................................................................................................... ix Abstract ........................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 2 Materials and Methods ................................................................................................... 4 Results ............................................................................................................................ 8 Discussion ..................................................................................................................... 14 Chapter 2 ...................................................................................................................... 20 Abstract ......................................................................................................................... 20 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 21 Materials and Methods ................................................................................................. 23 Results .......................................................................................................................... 27 Discussion ..................................................................................................................... 36 Chapter 3 ...................................................................................................................... 40 Abstract ......................................................................................................................... 40 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 41 Materials and Methods ................................................................................................. 42 Results .......................................................................................................................... 45 Discussion ..................................................................................................................... 50 Chapter 4 ...................................................................................................................... 54 Abstract ......................................................................................................................... 54 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 54 Formation of the interaction and local plant responses ................................................ 56 Fungal compounds involved in induction of plant responses ...................................... 57 Increased disease resistance ......................................................................................... 58 Plant signaling pathways induced by BCF leading to disease resistance ..................... 60 Perception of the signal and activation of MAPK signaling cascade ........................... 64 Systemic induction of defense related genes and proteins ........................................... 66 BCF induced resistance to biotic stress ........................................................................ 68 Alleviation of damage by reactive oxygen species ...................................................... 71 Involved in plant response to abiotic stress .................................................................. 72 Plant growth enhancement by BCF inoculation ........................................................... 74 Improved photosynthetic abilities ................................................................................ 75 Effect on root development and performance .............................................................. 77 Enhanced nitrogen use efficiency ................................................................................. 79 Similarities of beneficial effects of distantly related endophytic plant microbes: an example of convergent evolution? ................................................................................ 80 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 84 vi LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. 1. Distribution of shoot length as affected by rapid aging and T22 treatment. 9 Figure 1. 2. T22 improved